Christopher Cascio: Portals
Ivester Contemporary is pleased to present Portals, a solo exhibition by Christopher Cascio and his second with the gallery. This survey of work spans the past decade of Cascio鈥檚 practice, bringing together pieces across a range of materials, including acrylic on canvas, sewn found fabric, and concert wristbands, that all center around the recurring motif of the portal. Known for his explorations of obsession, compulsion, and ritual, Cascio often works in dense, repetitive patterns. In this focused presentation, each piece is anchored by a portal: sometimes overt, like an opening at the top of a staircase, and other times more abstract, revealed through a single contrasting form. Portals invites viewers to consider these moments as thresholds, interruptions in the pattern that offer space for reflection, transformation, or escape.
Christopher Cascio was born in New Orleans, and lives and works in Houston. He received his BFA at the San Francisco Art Institute and MFA from the University of Houston. Over the past decade his art has dealt with themes of obsession, compulsion, and ritual practice. The work now primarily consists of hard-edge abstraction (paintings) and is influenced by traditional quilting designs and often depicts different types of portals. Color and its transformative effects on the human psyche are paramount. The paintings come from a spiritual place and serve as a fount of positive energy for those who take the time to look deeply. The act of painting is curative and creates an aura of healing around the work.
While the paintings are often made using masking tape, aerosol and acrylic paint, Cascio鈥檚 also creates textile paintings with sewn fabrics and collage. He supplements his artmaking practice by regularly self-publishing books and zines. Cascio is an Assistant Professor of Studio Art at the Sam Houston State University School of Art and has taught at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. He is married, has a nine-year-old, and cohabitates with two rescued tabby cats.
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Ivester Contemporary is pleased to present Portals, a solo exhibition by Christopher Cascio and his second with the gallery. This survey of work spans the past decade of Cascio鈥檚 practice, bringing together pieces across a range of materials, including acrylic on canvas, sewn found fabric, and concert wristbands, that all center around the recurring motif of the portal. Known for his explorations of obsession, compulsion, and ritual, Cascio often works in dense, repetitive patterns. In this focused presentation, each piece is anchored by a portal: sometimes overt, like an opening at the top of a staircase, and other times more abstract, revealed through a single contrasting form. Portals invites viewers to consider these moments as thresholds, interruptions in the pattern that offer space for reflection, transformation, or escape.
Christopher Cascio was born in New Orleans, and lives and works in Houston. He received his BFA at the San Francisco Art Institute and MFA from the University of Houston. Over the past decade his art has dealt with themes of obsession, compulsion, and ritual practice. The work now primarily consists of hard-edge abstraction (paintings) and is influenced by traditional quilting designs and often depicts different types of portals. Color and its transformative effects on the human psyche are paramount. The paintings come from a spiritual place and serve as a fount of positive energy for those who take the time to look deeply. The act of painting is curative and creates an aura of healing around the work.
While the paintings are often made using masking tape, aerosol and acrylic paint, Cascio鈥檚 also creates textile paintings with sewn fabrics and collage. He supplements his artmaking practice by regularly self-publishing books and zines. Cascio is an Assistant Professor of Studio Art at the Sam Houston State University School of Art and has taught at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. He is married, has a nine-year-old, and cohabitates with two rescued tabby cats.
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